Show Some Grit

SCRIPTURE: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. Romans 5:3-5 NLT

THOUGHT: If I were to promise you if you started CrossFit today, you’d be sore tomorrow, I’d be correct, right (unless you’re already a beast)? You’d find muscles you didn’t know you had, and I would likely decide to stretch instead of going to CrossFit the next few days – might even go to the ER.

So when it comes to getting tough in the trenches of life, why do we expect less? God has a stake in the outcome of our spiritual fitness, and promises us that we’ll develop new muscles if we’ll stay with the program, not benching ourselves (or running to the ER in my case), but showing some grit. Allowing problems and trials to do their work of building endurance for the next round.

There’s a little dark humor in God promising us that we’ll get stronger as we go through tough things, just like Jesus saying to the disciples, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33 NLT).” How exactly does that promise help us, if deliverance is really what we want?

Well, fortunately the promises don’t stop in the trenches. Building endurance means you won’t feel those sore muscles again. Strength of character means you’ll go in and out of the trenches with confidence  – and sometimes even an odd enthusiasm. You’ve not only tested yourself, you’ve tested God so to speak, and know he can be trusted. Your assurance is higher, your hope in him is not going to be disappointed. You are loved by the master creator, and together you’ve overcome all the odds on the training course.

PRAYER: Oh God, we need some grit, but you don’t deliver it in a package, by osmosis, or as a download. You deliver it as we persevere. Help us as we press on toward the prize.